Seminar Paper

On

Challenges of Entering National University Graduates in the

Job Market: A study on three colleges

Submitted to
Dr. Muhammed Abu Yusuf
Module Coordinator
Seminar Paper Preparation and Presentation
BPATC, Savar, Dhaka-1343

Submitted by
Nasim Farhana Shireen (7950)
Roll- 124
th
125 ACAD Course
BPATC, Savar, Dhaka-1343

Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre

Savar, Dhaka-1343
Challenges of Entering National University
Graduates in the Job Market: A study on
three colleges

ii
 Acknowledgement

Preparation of seminar paper is a key learning point of ACAD Course. As we

know, development based on research. For this reason, seminar paper is
incorporated in course module. I would like to pay my sincere gratitude to Dr. M.
Aslam Alam, Senior Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh and Rector,
BPATC, Savar, to take this type of initiatives. I would like to express my deep
appreciation and gratitude to the course management team, especially Course
Director Mr. Banik Gour Sundar, Member Directing Staff (D & E); Dr.
Mohammed Amjed Hossain, Director (ST & RC); Course Co-ordinator, Mr.
Mohammad Tazib Uddin, Librarian (Documentation) and Mr. Mohammad Rezaul
Karim phD, Deputy Director, of 125th ACAD course for extending necessary
support and opportunity to me for preparing this seminar paper. I also want to
express my gratitude to my research consultant Prof. Dr. K M Mohiuddin, Dept. of
Government and Politics, Jahangir Nagar University. I would like to convey my
heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the respondent of NU and CEO’s for their kind co-
operation to collect the primary and secondary data for this purpose.

iii
Acronyms

BBS- Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

CEO- Chief Executive Officer

DD- Demographic Dividend

GOVT.- Government

ILO- International Labor Organization

IT- Information Technology

LFS- Labor Force Survey

NU- National University

UGC- University Grants Commission

VOL.- Volume

WWW- World Wide Web

iv
Challenges of Entering National University Graduates in the
Job Market: A study on three colleges
Nasim Farhana Shireen

ABSTRACT

National University (NU) is the parent University of Bangladesh. It is providing education to

about 2.5 million graduate level students of Bangladesh. Among the qualified graduates, 66 per
cent male and 77 per cent female graduates could not find any job. Of unemployed graduates, 74
per cent from humanities, 69 per cent from business studies and 66 per cent from science group.
Realizing the problem, the present study was undertaken to critically examine the challenges of
NU graduates entering job market. The core findings of the present study are in brief as follow:-
(I) Majority of the students fall within the age group of 23-28 years. (II) Maximum number of
students (72%) has Bachelor and 28% student has a Masters degree. (III) Academic score
obtained mostly within 2.00-3.00 CGPA by 64.66% students remaining 35.34 got CGPA over
3.00. (IV) Most of the graduates (76%) have English Proficiency according to themselves but
their employer believe 70% have English proficiency. (V) Majority of the graduate (80.66%)
believe that they have computer skill where as only 60% employer assented on their skill. (VI)
64.66% student thought they have problem solving skill or analytical ability while 40% CEO
considered their ability. (VII) A few number of students (10.60%) students are skeptical about
their capacity to convince the stakeholder where’s 30% of the employer does not believe in their
capacity to convince anybody.

Key words: National University, Graduate, Job market, Computer skill, English proficiency,
Unemployment ,Communication skill.

1
 Introduction and Methodology

Introduction:
Bangladesh, a densely populated low-income country of South Asia, is currently facing a serious
problem of unemployment. It has experienced high rate of growth of labor force due to high
population growth in the past few decades. (Rahman, 2018). Every year twenty one lac (2.1
million) youths are entering job market of Bangladesh. To accelerate Bangladesh’s future
economic growth, the huge young labor force should be utilized. It is found by various studies
that rapidly growing economy of South Asia are mainly based on the utilization of demographic
dividend.

In fact the growing youth labor force is highlighted as demographic dividend (DD). Which
means share of working age population between age group of 15 to 64 years are higher in
population age than less than 14 and above 65 years of age. It is obvious that youths are the
dynamic component of any labor market.

In the job market of Bangladesh, a shortage of skilled labor force is felt in recent times (Rahman,
2018). Though in Bangladesh there are 41 Public and 103 private universities having more than
three million graduate level students, foreign personnel are hired by the corporate offices of
Bangladesh, which is a matter of grave concern for the unemployment problem of Bangladesh.
Youth labor force of our country require great emphasis to put on. Total number of unemployed
persons in Bangladesh is estimated at thirty million. According to a study of the International
Labor Organization (ILO), rate of growth of unemployment was 1.9 per cent in the decade of
ninety, But now it is 3.7 per cent (Hasan, 2019). The unemployment scenario of graduate and
post graduate students had grown to 16.4 per cent in 2013 from 9.9 per cent in 2010. A recent
World Bank report estimates around 1.6 million tertiary students in Bangladesh are enrolled in
Government and Non-government colleges affiliated under the national University (NU). NU,
parent University of Bangladesh, was established by an Act of parliament in 1992 as an
affiliating university. It is imparting graduate and post graduate level education through its 2,254

2
affiliated colleges and professional institutes throughout the country. NU is delivering tertiary
education to 2300035 students. It is the biggest tank for creating graduates in Bangladesh. There
are some 668824 graduate level students under arts & Humanities, 745025 under social sciences,
215441 under sciences and 650608 under business studies. 512 under education, 14819 under
law and 4824 under diploma/certificates or other programmes (UGC, 2016).

But the alarming fact is that the conventional education system which is going on under NU
failed to meet demand of today’s job market of business orientation and development Huge
number of NU students is a non-match to the industry requirements (Hasan, 2019). The factory
owners and corporate heads are allege that our graduates lack of technical, professional or
communication skill which are regarded as vital in the rapidly changing job market in the era of
the 4th industrial revolution. Unfortunately the Job market does not need the types of learning
offered by the NU. Employers/CEO’s opined that NU graduates have lackings in English
language and computer skills, though they admitted that they posses decent work altitude and
efficient in communication in Bengali. College graduates are considered as failure to obtain
practical knowledge and skills during their graduation course.

Jones, D (2018) opined that the teaching learning of the Universities might be business friendly.
He found business was absent on world class-researchers or high quality graduates. The reason
behind is Universities were not customer oriented. Some recruited graduates were found with
lacking in business awareness and appropriate skills. A number of firms (14 per cent) allege that
University curricula are not proper match to business. He suggested Govt. should encourage
business and Universities to ensure the quality of graduate, especially to build business
awareness on priority basis.

This present study aims at the unemployment condition among various discipline of NU
graduates, namely Science, Business studies and Humanities. It makes an attempt to look at the
factors, which keeping NU graduates behind. It subsequently tries to analyze entrances of NU
graduates in the Job market.

3
1.2Literature Review

The traditional system of education adopted by NU could not produce the graduates to meet the
current world of competition. The reality weakens the chance of getting a job up to the
expectation of NU graduates. As for example garment sector, One of the key sectors of
Bangladesh economy also hiring foreign personnel instead of providing job to the country
graduates.

This is a time, When Bangladesh is facing a certain level of “Credential Inflation” (devaluation
of academic credentials over time and a corresponding decrease in the expected advantage for a
degree holder in the job market) in every discipline of education.

Considering the above mentioned issues, a pertinent question arises, what is the future of huge
number graduates produced by National University? This present study is a humble effort to shed
some light on this burning issue.

For this purpose an extensive review of relevant literature is made by the researcher as follows:

Islam, R (1980), in his research paper titled “Graduate unemployment in Bangladesh: A

Preliminary Analysis” revealed that, unemployment in Bangladesh for the graduates was a major
problem which cannot be dismissed as a more job search phenomenon. He analyzed the issue
from both the demand and supply sides. He found that a kind of imbalance exist in the labor
market for graduates, i.e. the expectation grown amongst the graduates by the context of
curricula, environment of the education institution and the required skill sought by the employers
did not match. Moreover incentives offered to the job seeker are different also. He concluded
that as a whole a large number of graduates come out, majority of them are unwelcome to the job
market.

Chisty and Uddin, Munir and Ghosh (2007) in their joint paper titled “The Business Graduate
Employability in Bangladesh: Dilemma and expected skill by corporate world” had shown that
Bangladesh has facing a great problem in case of unemployment. Of late, students are very keen
to attain a degree in business education, which is more suitable to job market. But the dilemma is

4
the imbalance due to expected qualification by the employer (apart from degree, certificate and
diploma) and the skill obtained by the graduates are not the same.
They concluded that high academic grades by the business graduates have been considered less
important, because more emphasis given on the corporate culture and analytical competence.
Failure to meet those expected skills resulted negative situation for graduates employability.
An Assignment on “Unemployment problem in Bangladesh” prepared by WWW. Assignment.
Point.com showed that, In the labor force Survey (LFS), 2005-06 (Published in April, 2008)
constructed by the country’s labor force (15 year + population) stood at 84.6 million,
unemployment calculated at 40 percent of the labor force. It showed high rate of unemployment
particularly of educated youth, poses serious socio-economic problems. A jobless educated
youth, particularly a male one, becomes a burden to the family and economy. He gets very little
respect, which sometimes force him to involve in criminal activities.
Rahman, Mahmudur (2018) in his article titled “Employment Scenario: The double-edged
sword” that only 6 million skilled persons are available agonist 18 million jobs in Bangladesh.
This fact revealed that technical and vocational skills are highly demanded instead of general
education system. The International labor organization (ILO) is supporting Technical and
vocational Education Training (TVET) in Bangladesh to provide vocational or technical skills
for the young generation. Demand for skilled work force both in developing of developed
counties is a mere fact. The Bangladesh Garments Manufacturer & exporters Association
(BGMEA) also set up a training institute to provide training to the Unemployed youths.
Khan, Shahiduzzaman (2018) in his article “Preparing for perspective changes in future job
market” expressed that Government has failed to provide sufficient jobs for its citizen.
He analyzed that unemployed citizen in Bangladesh is much more higher than it is revealed in
any survey. He also elaborated that more jobs are creating in private sector. He suggested our
Universities and educational institutions to put emphasis on high tech, I C T and science since
their demand is rising in whole world. Star Business Report (2018) in their report titled
“Disquieting trend in job market” revealed that in Bangladesh, one third of work force above 15
years of age are unemployed. The centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) suggested training as well as
blending of education and vocational training for the unemployed citizen to be able to get jobs
and fulfill the benefit of demographic dividend. The report concluded as to put pressure on
education and rapid creation of decent job will achieve the advantage of demographic divided.

5
Chakma, J (2018) in his article titled “Industrial sector: Job growth falls further” elaborated that
growth in case of employment fell down for two consecutive years. He also mentioned industrial
sector as main job creator in Bangladesh. He also analyzed that the proportional share of
Agriculture, industry and service sector. He examined the stagnant position of apparel sector in
exporting and warned that the diminishing trend of industrial sector is shocking for economy.
No such research is found on this topic challenges of entering job market for NU students. So
there is a research gap.

1.2 Statement of the Problem:

Rate of employment of the graduates of Bangladesh is a matter of concern. In the Job market, the
employability of NU graduates shows imbalance due to required skills sought by the
employers/CEO’s apart from degree, certificate and diploma (Chisty and Uddin and Ghosh,
2007). Corporate sector of Bangladesh have measured academic attainments as less important in
comparison with communication skill, analytical ability and exposure to corporate culture.

From extensive literature survey it is revealed that National University graduates have less
control over the above mentioned skills and have low access to the Job market. So, the problem
of the present study is to identify the challenges of entering NU graduates in the Job market.

13. Objectives of the Study:

1. Analyze the Job Market Scenario of Bangladesh and status of the National university
Graduates in the Job market.
2. Determining the causes behind low entrance of National University graduates in
Bangladesh Job market.

Key Research Questions:

1. What kind of skills are required for Job market?
2. What are the challenges of National University Graduates for getting Jobs?

1.4. Conceptual Framework:

National University was established by an Act of Parliament in 1992 as an affiliating University
to impart graduate and Post graduate level education to the students. It is the 3 rd largest

6
University in the world according to enrollment with affiliated colleges and professional
institutions (www.nu.ac.bd).

NU alone is providing higher education to 68 per cent of the students who have enrolled for
higher education country wide.

A World Bank study showed that 46 per cent NU graduates stay unemployed for at least there
years on completion of their graduation. It is quite alarming that 66 per cent of male graduates
stay unemployed against 77 per cent of their female counter parts. ( Habib, 2019).

According to the study the unemployment rate varies discipline-wise. It is very high in
humanities group graduates, i.e. 74 per cent, while 69 per cent in Business graduates, and 66 per
cent in science graduates.

The major cause of high unemployment in NU graduates is non matching skill. The knowledge
and skills acquired by NU graduates have little application at work. It is found that one third of
employed graduate could apply their skill in their workplace properly. It is said that they failed
to acquire practical knowledge and skills during their graduate course. Pro-VC of NU Professor
Hafiz Md. Hasan Babu acknowledge that the curricula of NU and other Public universities do not
reflect the requirements of Job market. (Habib, 2019)

Employers acknowledge that NU graduates are strong in communication in Bangla and in

English language and computer skills. They opined that business and specific skills related
subjects like computer science, Finance Accounting, Marketing, Management, Mathematics,
Statistics and English are the most relevant Subjects in the Job market. (WB, 2016)

Since the Financial, manufacturing and telecommunication sectors are the prime Job hubs and
Business & IT degrees are required over there. Students should obtain it. Moreover effective
presentation skill, problem solving ability, analytical ability is also expected by the employer to
prove worth for employability, (Chisty and Uddin and Ghosh 2007). The Universities and other
educational institutions need to teach high tech science and digital education as their demand
increasing globally (Khan, 2018).

7
Regarding NU students, a common perception prevails that they are inferior to other public
University students. As a result, they have lower acceptance in the Job market. Another
mentionable thing is that NU graduates must be equipped with competency in communication
and presentation skill and analytical ability as well as high academic grades.

1.5 Rationale of the Study:

It is forecasted that there would be vital changes in the Job market of Bangladesh in next 20-30
years. At present, more than 50 per cent of our population is young. They are the future leader of
the nation. A study of World Bank revealed that an unemployed graduate has to apply for 17
Jobs before s/he could find a job. According to Zahid Hussain, lead economist of WB’s Dhaka
office. The key problem is skill mismatch”. He elaborated that the knowledge and skills are
acquired by our NU graduates, have a little scope of application at work place. Which is the root
cause of the problem faced by the NU graduates in the Job market. It is alleged that, they lack
relevant skills such as Corporate exposures, analytical ability, presentation skill which is valued
by the employers.

In this connection, by finding inherent causes of failure in the Job market of NU graduates, this
study will shed light on the overall tertiary level education of Bangladesh. A burning issue like
unemployment could be mitigated by the findings of this said study, which hopefully help to
combat the criticism of some economist to our economy as “ Jobless growth” as well as make the
graduates for capable of getting Job .

1.5 Methodology:

This study is based on both primary and secondary data. To satisfy the objectives of the study.
effort had been given to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.
Considering time and financial constraint the study had been kept limited to Chattogram town.
The following samples are included:
1. Chittagong College, ctg.
2. Govt. College of commerce, ctg.
3. Govt. City College ctg.

8
To carry out the study, the following method has been used. Extensive literature survey was
made on NU graduates employability. Books, Journals research reports newsletters have been
studied. As to primary data gathering technique two sets of semi-structured questionnaire was
used by the researcher herself. One set of questionnaire is prepared for the NU graduates while
another’s used for employers/CEO’s. Questionnaire is prepared after pilot survey and proper
consideration of the objectives of the study.
The collected data have been recessed and analyzed manually and with the help of computer. On
the basis of analyzed data a draft dissertation was prepared. The paper is finalized in this form
incorporating the valued opinion of the supervisor and other experts of the subject. The present
study is based on the findings of the primary and secondary data together as well observation
method.

For the collection of primary data, three Government colleges in chattogram district are selected
randomly. For collecting data of three disciplines in graduate level education, three colleges are
visited. For science discipline, graduates, Chittagong College is chosen, for Business graduates
Govt. College of Commerce and for Humanities group City College is taken. At least 10 key
informants of corporate CEO’s/Office heads are interviewed students interviewed taking 50 from
each discipline. Two separate sets of semi structured questionnaire is used for interviewing.

1.8 Study Limitations:

The Study of this kind suffers from some limitations. For instance, it could not cover colleges
form Dhaka city. Thus, findings do not exhibit overall picture of NU graduates of whole
Bangladesh. Some vital limitations are as follows:-
(a) The study examines the computer skill, English language skill and problem solving skills
of the graduates. But some other components of employability such as written
examination, viva-voce, internship program need a separate study in this regard.
(b) Only one college from each discipline is visited and the respondents were very much
typical and response was homogeneous to some extent.
(c) Accuracy of data could not be ensured cent per cent in a developing country, like any
other research in social science the present study is found to suffer from this kind of
limitations which are rather unavoidable.

9
Job market condition in Bangladesh

Unemployment condition in Bangladesh is a matter of grave concern. The Government of

Bangladesh is facing the challenges of creating sufficient job for its citizen despite having a
modest economic growth rate of 7.11 per cent.

There is about 3.50 crore Unemployed people in Bangladesh including students, graduates,
retired and income recipients, street dwellers and persons involved in household work. The
increasing rate of joblessness among graduates or educated young persons are accelerating
frustration in the society. Experts opined that skill mismatch and shortage of jobs are the major
causes for unemployment of huge young generation (Mahamud, 2007) (Cited in Chisty, 2007).

Job market in Bangladesh is shrinking since capital intensive industries are replacing labour
intensive industries. For this reason, Employment growth fell down in the year 2016-17 for
consecutive two years. The influencing factors are slow private investment, rise of capital
intensive sector and introduction of high technologies (chakma, 2018)

In the decade of 2000-2010, the industrial sector has employed about 3 lakh citizens. 2857
number of new jobs have been created on average during the Period. But recently i.e. in 2016-
2017, industrial sector employment fell to 20. 4 per cent from 23 per Cent in 2013.

A mentionable thing is that, the Share of agriculture has decreases recently in the job market of
Bangladesh. On the other hand service sector has created a large number of jobs.

Analysts expressed this as an Unwelcome situation for Bangladesh which has an abundant labour
force. Zahid Hossain, Lead Economist of the world Bank in Dhaka opined that Bangladesh
economy is yet to reach its maturity to create employment. Bangladesh is now a lower-middle
income country, but to become an Upper middle country, its employment in industrial sector
must be increased.

10
It is found that 14 lakh new Unemployed persons are adding to the Current stock of job seekers
in the fiscal year of 2015-16 and 2016-2017.(Chakma, 2018)

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of statistics, Unemployment rate is 4.2 per cent at present
in Bangladesh.

Though agricultural share of employment has been reduced it still occupies major Share of Jobs
i. e. 40.6 per cent of total population. (2016-2017) where as service service sector employed 2.37
crore people.

It added 17 lakh more jobs from 2016-17. Consequently share of service sector in the job market
upgraded to 41 per cent from 39 per Cent as the share left by agricultural sector is occupied by
industrial sector.

The private sector creates more employment opportunities than the public sector in the country.
Actually investment in the private sector had been sluggish for a long time. One of the major
reason behind the high unemployment rate (Chakma, 2018)

Now the percentage of young population in Bangladesh is more than 50% of total population.
This is the privilege we would have in future having a large number of young, able and educated
population. It is the nation’s duty to show them right direction to get employment in the highly
challenging job market of home and abroad. Our Universities and educational institutions need to
teach them Information Technology, science based subjects and Business studies etc. Whose
demand in the job market are increasing.

As we know, a middle income Bangladesh in the year 2021, wants to achieve 2.5 times more of
its current GDP i, e 10% per cent, with 90 per cent of it coming from service and industry sector.
For this, skill development of youths is of high importance to avail the opportunity of
employment in the fast growing economy.

In reality millions of students of govt. and non govt. colleges affiliated with NU spend first few
years after completing their graduation for seeking jobs in Public and private sector. On average
Unemployed graduates applied for 17 jobs Until s/he could find a job. 46 per cent of NU
graduated remain jobless at least three years before they become employed. (WB. 2018). The
statistic below shows the distribution of employment in Bangladesh from 2008 to 2018.

11
Distribution of employment by economic sector in Bangladesh

Year Agriculture Industry Service

2018 40.15% 20.47% 39.38%
2017 40.6% 20.42% 38.98%
2016 42.66% 20.46% 36.87%
2015 43.44% 19.93% 36.64%
2014 44.29% 19.45% 36.26%
2013 45% 19.05% 35.93%
2012 45.77% 18.55% 35.68%
2011 46.57% 18.07% 35.35%
2010 47.31% 17.63% 35.07%
2009 47.54% 16.81% 35.65%
2008 47.7% 16.01% 36.29%
source: Statistics Research Department, June 6, 2019.

The statistics shows that, In 2018 service sector occupies the second major share of employment
in Bangladesh.

Background of the Respondents

National University was established in 1992 by an Act of parliament as an affiliating University

of the country to provide graduate and higher level education through its affiliated colleges. NU
is a public University and run by the state. It is one of the largest Universities in the world by
number of affiliated colleges and expanding subjects and courses. It is imparting knowledge to
about 2.5 million students.

12
But the actual problem is that the graduates from different discipline do not match with the

today’s world of business and rapid change. The learning training obtained by the graduates of
NU is not according to the requirement of industrial/corporate sector. The employer/ CEO’s
allege that there is a certain amount of lacking in technical, Professional or language skills
among the graduates from NU. As a result, the employer/CEO’s are forced to hire foreign
personnel in many organization.

Table-3.1 shows the age limit of NU graduates from Humanities group

Table-3.1

Age of Graduates (Humanities group)

Respondent’s Age (in years) No. of students

20-22
23-25 37 (74%)
26-28 13 (26%)
29-31
32-35
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

74percent graduates from Humanities group fell in the age group 23. to 25 years and 26 percent
of the respondent fell in the age group of 26 to 28 years.

Table 3.2

Educational Qualification of NU graduates (Humanities group)

Educational Qualification No. of Students

Graduated with Pass Course 9 (18%)
Graduated with Honours course 17 (34%)
Master with Pass Course 22(44%)
Masters With Honours Course 2(4%)

13
 Others
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Table 3.2 Shows that 18 per cent student of Humanities group graduated with pass course, 34 per
cent with honours, 44 per cent with masters (Pass) and 4 per cent with Masters with Honours

Table 3.3
Distribution of Academic Score of Graduate (Humanities)

CGPA(Range) No. of students &%

2.00-2.50 12 (24%)
2.50-3.00 31 (62%)
3.00-3.50 6 (12%)
3.50-3.75 1 (2%)
3.75-4.00
Total 50
Source : Field Survey

24 per cent graduates obtained CGPA within 2.0-2.50, 62 per cent within 2.50-3.00, 12 per cent
obtained first class and 2 per cent above CGPA 3.50

Table-3.4
Distribution of Skill in Communicative English

Feeling Ease in communicating in English No. of Students

Strongly Disagree 3(67%)
Moderately Disagree 7(14%)
Agree 21 (26%)
Moderately Agree 13(26%)
Strongly Agree 6 (12%)
Total 50
Source : Field Survey

6 Per cent Graduates opined that they strongly disagree with the idea that they feel easy in
Communicating in English language. 14 per cent moderately disagreed, 42 per cent agreed 26
per cent moderately and rest 12 per cent strongly agreed.

Table: 3.5
Distribution of Computer Skill of Graduates

Computer Skill No. of students.

Least sufficient 3(6%)
insufficient 2(4%)

14
 Sufficient 15(30%)
Moderately Sufficient 27(54%)
Most Sufficient 3(6%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

According to the graduate respondents 6 per cent of them have least computer skill 4 per cent
insufficient, 30 per cent have sufficient skill, 54 per cent have moderate and 6 per cent have most
sufficient skill in computer.

Table-3.6

Distribution of Problem Solving in real life scenario

Problem solving skill No. of Students

Strongly disagree 8(16%)
Disagree 7(14%)
Agree 9(18%)
Moderately Agree 11(22%)
Strongly Agree 15(30%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Regarding problem solving skill 30 per cent graduate opined that they do not have the skill while
remaining 70 per cent claimed of having that skill.

Table-3.7

Distribution of Confidence for convincing anybody

Convincing anybody No. of students

Strongly disagree 1(2%)
Disagree 3(6%)
Agree 27(54%)
Moderately Agree 17(34%)
Strongly Agree 2(4%)
Source: Field Survey

Only 8 per cent graduate disagreed in convincing anybody while 92 per cent graduates are
confident to convince. anybody in favor of his/her opinion.

15
 Table-3.8

Distribution of Age group of Business graduates

Respondent’s Age (in years) No. of students

20-22
23-25 17(34%)
26-28 25(50%)
29-31 8(16%)
32-35
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

34per cent of Business graduates from NU fall in the age group of 23-25 years. 50 per cent falls
in 26-28 years while 16 percent falls within the age of 29-31 years.

Table-3.9

Distribution of Educational Qualification of Business graduates

Educational Qualifications No. of students

Graduated with Pass Course 8(16%)
Graduated with Honours Course 28(56%)
Masters with pass course 5(10%)
master with Honours Course 9(18%)
Others
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Most of the business graduate i. e 56 per cent have Honours degree where minimum number (16
per cent) have pass course degree

Table 3.10

Distribution of academic attainment of Business graduates

Obtained CGPA (out of 4.00) No. of students

2.00-2.50 7(14%)
2.50-3.00 19(38%)
3.00-3.50 22(44%)
3.50-3.75 2(4%)

16
 3.75-4.00
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Most of the business graduates have obtained degree with first class i.e C GPA 3.00-3.50 Only 4
per cent have obtained C GPA within the range of 3.50-3.75.

Table-3.11

Distribution of skill in Communicative English

Feeling Ease in Communicating in English No. of students

Strongly disagree 4(8%)
Moderately disagree 9(18%)
Agree 19(38%)
Moderately Agree 13(26%)
Strongly Agree 5(10%)

Source: Field Survey

38 per cent Business graduates opined that they will be at ease in case of communicating in
English while 4 per cent expressed their inability.

Table-3.12

Distribution of Computer skill

Computer skill No. of students

Least Sufficient
Insufficient 5(10%)
Sufficient 11(22%)
Moderately Sufficient 26(52%)
Most Sufficient 8(16%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Only 10 per cent of NU graduates are skeptical about their computer skill, whereas 90 per cent
are confident of having computer skill.

Table 3.13

Problem solving capacity in real life scenario

Problem solving capacity No. of students

Strongly Disagree
Disagree 13(26%)
Agree 15(30%)

17
 Moderately Agree 17(34%)
Strongly Agree 5(10%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

74 per cent graduates opined they will be able to solve problems in real life at their workplaces
while 26 per cent disagreed.

Table 3.14

Distribution of confidence for convincing anybody

Convincing Stakeholder No. of students

Strongly Disagree
Disagree 7(14%)
Agree 19(38%)
Moderately Agree 14(28%)
Strongly Agree 10(20%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

14 per cent business graduates are not confident to convince anybody where as 86 per cent of
them are confident enough to convince the stakeholders

Table-3.15

Distribution of Age of Science graduates

Respondent’s Age ( in years) No. of students

20-22
23-25 35(70%)
26-28 15(30%)
29-31
32-35
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

70 per cent of the science graduate respondents fall in the age group of 23-25 years while 30 per
cent of them fall in 26-28 years.

Table 3.16

Distribution of Educational Qualification (Science group)

Educational Qualification No. of students

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 Graduated in pass course 2(4%)
Graduated in Honours course 29(58%)
Masters with pass degree 2(4%)
Masters with Honours 17(34%)
Others
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Majority of the science gradates have Masters degree with Honours course i, e. 58 per cent. Only
4 per cent of the Science graduates have pass course degree.

Table- 3.17

Distribution of academic score of science graduate

CGPA No. of students

2.00-2.50 8(16%)
2.50-3.00 20(40%)
3.00-3.50 17(34%)
3.50-3.75 5(10%)
3.75-4.00
Total 50
source : Field Survey

40 per cent of the science graduate obtained CGPA within 2.50-3.00 while 34 per lent obtained
first class. On the other hand 16 per cent obtained second class degree.

Table 3.18

Distribution of skill in communicative English

Feeling ease in communicative English No. of Respondents

strongly disagree 5(10%)
Moderately disagree 5(10%)
Agree 20(40%)
Moderately Agree 10(20%)
Strongly Agree 10(20)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Majority of science graduates expressed that they could easily communicate in English, while 20
per cent of them disagreed

Tabel-3.19

Distribution of computer skill

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 Computer skill No. of students
Least Sufficient 3 (6%)
Insufficient 12( 24%)
Sufficient 10(20%)
Moderately Sufficient 15(30%)
Most Sufficient 10(20%)
Total 50
Source: Field survey

Most of the science graduate (70 per cent) have claimed that they have sufficient computer skill.
Only 30 per cent of them are skeptical about it.

Table- 3.20

Distribution of problem solving ability

Problem Solving Skill No. of Students

strongly Disagree 17(34%)
Disagree 8(16%)
Agree 16(32%)
Moderately Agree 4(8%)
Strongly Agree 5(10%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Half of the science graduates opined they will be able to solve any problem in the work place.

Table 3.21

Distribution of convince skill among science graduates

Convincing skill No. of students

Strongly disagree 2(4%)
disagree 3(6%)
Agree 17(34%)
Moderately Agree 18(36%)
Strongly Agree 10(20%)
Total 50
Source: Field Survey

Almost 90 per cent science graduates of NU claim that they can convince any people in real life
scenario while 10 per cent disagreed to that issue.

Most of the NU graduates from various discipline opined that there must be practical learning
platform in their academic curricula. They opined that there is no relevancy with the curricula of
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NU and job recruitment test. The colleges are used as examination center. Which hampers the
learning activities in the class room. They also expressed their frustration for not having
internship program in many Courses. As well as English proficiency course. Another
mentionable thing they pointed out there should be link to various organizations with NU to
facilitate employment for them. A certain amount of student mentioned bribery system as one of
the root causes for not getting jobs by themselves.

Challenges of NU graduates

Graduates of Bangladesh are now frustrated with the burden of higher education. Having M.S.C,
MBA or M A degrees, they are loitering in the job market, trying to get a job for a long time. But
there are joblessness in home and abroad. In Bangladesh about 20 lakh Unemployed youths are
adding to the current stock of Unemployed people. Experts opine that there is a mismatch in skill
and Qualification sought by the employers. Because the knowledge and skills are taught in our
National University affiliated colleges are not quite appropriate at workplace. Though the NU
students Claim that they have learnt many courses during their graduations but it has little
applicability in work places. Only one third of the students could apply their learnt lessons
practically. 46 per cent NU graduates remain Unemployed for more than three years after being
graduated. 66 per cent male graduates. did not get any job and 77 per cent female graduates
remained jobless. Unemployment rate is very high in rural area i.e. 72 per cent In the urban area
unemployed graduates are 58 per cent.

Causes behind the low entrance is that graduates of NU are coming out with conventional
education. The lesson learnt during their courses in not relevant to the requirement of in dustrial
sector moreover, the training NU students received in their classes do not incorporate any
practical learning session required for current world of business and development. CEO’s and
factory owners allege that there is a lacking of technical, professional and language skills among
the NU graduates which are the most considering factors in the rapid changing job market of
today’s world.

The opinions of ten key respondents i. e. CEO of Various organizations are analyzed here.

Table-4.1

Distribution of CEO’s by Age

Respondent’s Age (in years) No. of CEO’s per cent age

30-35 1 10%
35-40 1 10%
40-45 2 20%
45-50 2 20%
50-55 4 40%

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 Total 10
Source: Field Survey

Majority of the key respondents i. e. 40 per cent belong to the age group of 50-55 years. 20 per
cent in 45-50, 20 per cent in 40-45 years and 20 per cent are in the age group of 35-40 and 30-35

Table-4.2

Distribution of CEO’s by Educational Qualifications

Educational Qualification No. of respondent percentage

Graduate
Masters 4 40%
Having more degrees 6 60%
Total 10 100%
Source : Field Survey

Most of the CEO’s i, e 60 per cent have post graduate degrees other than Masters degrees. 40 per
cent of them have one master degree.

Table-4.3

Distribution of requirement criteria for getting jobs

what is required for getting No. of respondent percentage

job
High grade
Other Qualification 10 100%
Total 10 100%
Source: Field Survey

Regarding the expected qualification. For new entrants all of the CEO respondents have opined
that other Qualification such as knowledge and skills than academic grade is more important..
Having high grade in graduate level NU graduates remain jobless.

Table-4.4

Distribution of Communicative English Competency

Competent in Communicating No. of respondents Percentage

English
Strongly disagree 1 10%
Disagree 3 30%

22
 Agree 1 10%
Moderately Agree 5 50%
Strongly Agree
Total 10
Source: Field Survey

Most of the CEO’s are moderately agreed on the competency in communicative English of NU
graduates. Whereas 40 per cent CEO’s disagreed on their competency. As a whole , they opined
that NU graduates can communicate fluency in Bengali but rather weak in English.

Table-4.5

Distribution of Presentation skill

Presenting any issue properly No. of respondent Percentage

Strongly disagree 1 10%
Disagree 4 40%
Agree 1 10%
Moderately agree 4 40%
Strongly Agree
Total 10 100%
Source: Field Survey

No CEO’s has strong confidence on the presentation skill of NU graduates, 50percent of CEO’s
totally disagreed on their presentation skill while 50 percent agreed. Their lack of confidence in
NU graduates presentation skill in a major factor for low share in the job market.

Table-4.5

Distribution of Computer literacy

Sufficient Computer skill No. of respondents percentage

strongly disagree
disagree 3 30%
Agree 4 40%
Moderately Agree 3 30%
Strongly Agree
Total 10
Source: Field Survey

No CEO strongly rely on the computer skill of NU graduates. Whereas 30 per cent disagreed on
their ability and 70 per cent have belief on their computer skill. Though the CEO’s do not deny
their computer skill, but they expressed less reliance on their skill.

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 Table- 4.6

Distribution of Problem Solving ability

Knowledge in Problem No. of respondent Percentage

Solving
Least Sufficient 1 10%
Insufficient 5 50%
Sufficient 3 30%
Moderately Sufficient 1 10%
Most Sufficient
Total
Source: Field Survey

60 per cent of the CEO’s of various organization Opined that NU graduates does not have
sufficient knowledge to solve a problem in work place while 40 per cent of them thought they
could solve a problem. Which is a major issue for not getting employment by NU graduates for a
long time.

Table-4.7

Distribution of NU graduates by convincing ability

Abilities to Convince No. of respondent Percentage

Stakeholders
Satisfactory
Good 4 40%
Moderate 3 30%
Not Good 3 30%
very bad
Total 10 100%
Source: Field Survey

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Regarding Convincing Power, 70 per cent CEO’s took the NU graduates as Good and Moderate
while 30 per cent CEO’s opined that they do not have good convincing ability.

Employers and CEO’s of various organization comprising both public and private sector
demanded that NU graduates have decent disposition, orderly work attitude, good
communication skill in Bengali but they have inefficiency in English language and lacks in
computer literacy.

Regarding job qualification cent percent CEO’s opined that skills like ICT, English language
or communication is much more needed than high academic grade. The employers expect that
business studies and skill supporting subjects like ICT, CSE, Finance, Accounting,
Management, Marketing, Mathematics, English and Statistics etc, are the most demanded
subjects for employability. ( WB, 2018 )

At present, the job market of Bangladesh has converted into skill – led market.
According to Ex. UGC Chairman Professor Mannan, our NU graduates must be suitable in the
rapid changing job market. (WB, 2018 )

Since there is a certain amount of weakness in our National University curricula hence
the system of education might be restructured .

National University is the largest academic institution in our country for tertiary level
education. It should take initiative to equip their students with appropriate skills such as English
language competency, Computer literacy, communicative and problem solving skill and other
relevant skills. Through this action of imparting various skills NU students will get the
opportunity to be employed.

Moreover, to combat the challenges of NU graduates in the job market of Bangladesh,

the graduate and post graduate level education system must be re-constituted and developed.
Actions like curricula development, modernization of teaching material, reform of teaching and
evaluation, upgradation of infrastructure facility, linkage program between university and
industry, introduction of training should be taken (Chisty, 2007)

Conclusion and policy Implications

The present study tries to identity the Challenges of entering NU graduates in the job market. Of
Bangladesh from the point of view of both the employers and students of various disciplines of
NU. It also attempted to find out root causes, which are keeping NU students behind in case of
employment

Summary: National University is the largest academic institution of Bangladesh providing

graduate level education to about 2,300,053 students. But about half of the graduates remain

25
Unemployed for at least three years after their passing out from the University, Because NU
graduates can not fulfill the expectation of corporate bodies.

The study was confined to three colleges of Chattogram District. A total of 150 students ( 50
from each discipline) were selected along with 10 CEO of public/private organizations. Both
type of data i, e primary and secondary data were used for the purpose of the study. Primary data
collected on the basis of two sets of questionnaire prepared in the light of the objectives of the
study. Secondary data were collected from different study, Journal and research article. The main
findings of the study are summarized below:

Unemployment condition to the graduates is a big problem in Bangladesh. NU is providing

higher education to 68 per cent of total student at graduate and upper level. (2016)

Some specific problem of NU graduates is identified in the present study such as weakness in
communicating in English, lacking in the presentation skill, shortage of computer skill,
insufficient problem solving ability, lacking in convincing the stakeholder etc.

The mode age group of the respondent NU graduates is of 23-28 years. Almost all of them are
young aged and belong to an economically active age group. Regarding educational qualification
of the respondent it seen that 38 per cent of them have masters degree and remaining 62 per cent
have graduate degree taking the three disciplines i, e. Humanities, Business studies and science
altogether.

Academic score wise distribution reveals that 64.66 percent of NU student obtained CGPA
within the scale of 2.00-3.00 and and 35.34 per cent obtained CGPA above 3.00 up to 3.75 No.
one has got 4.00 out of 4.00

In case of communicative English, 78 percent of NU graduates opined that they are able to
communicate in English with anybody properly but 40 per cent of CEO’s were disagreed on their
competency. So there is a gap between the conception of NU graduates and perception of the
employers

Regarding computer skills of the graduates 72 recent of them considered it as sufficient. On the
other hand,70 per cent employer believe that they have sufficient computer skill.

64.66 per cent of NU graduates have confidence to solve problems in the work place whore as
only 40 per cent of the employers rely on their ability. There is a gap between the confidence and
judgment.

In case of convening the stake holder, 77.66 per cent of graduates believe that they can convince
anybody regarding any issue. But 70 per cent of the employer affirmed the idea.

On the various suggestions put by the opinion of the CEO respondents in order to combat the
challenges of entering NU graduates in the job market are a) to develop communication skill b)

26
Enhance English competency c) to build confidence among themselves d) to gain practical
know ledge e) To upgrade computer skill and f) to engage them in real life workplace i. e.
internship program.

Two of the CEO (20 per cent ) respondents mentioned the brand image of NU. Common
perception is that NU students are inferior to other public Universities since they did not get
admission there. Head of operations of square ltd. mentioned to control the quality of lab
experiment during their courses regarding science graduates.

Problems of NU graduates for entering job market is a established truth. Their lower
Unemployment share is quite visible in the job market. The problems can be viewed from both
side.

A) Challenges from the view point of NU students:

i) Lack of practical learning: A large number of NU students opined that there is no
scope of practical learning in their curricula.
ii) Absence of Internship program: Most of the NU graduates expressed deep concern
for having internship program within their cause. That means engagement to any
organization for a certain period for on the job training.
iii) Non-continuation of classes:- Due to use of colleges as examination centre classes of
NU graduate course is always interrupted.
iv) No linkage with industrial sector:- NU students demanded to create a link with
industrial sector for their future job placement.
v) Courses are not relevant with job market:- Some number of NU students expressed
frustration as their curricula do not match with recruitment test of job market.

B) problems from the view point of CEO/ Employer:

i) Poor English Competency: The employers found NU graduates as weak in English

language. Communicating fluently in English is difficult for them, the CEO
believe.
ii) Lack of confidence: The CEO’s perception is that the NU graduates lacks in
confidence level. They are not confident enough to deal with real life problem in
the workplace.
iii) Poor Computer Skill: The employers believe that NU graduates computer skill is
not of high standard.
iv) Weak problem solving skill:The CEO”S common perception is that graduates
from NU are not strong enough to solve problems in real life scenario.
v) Insufficient skill in presentation: NU graduates presentation skill is not up to the
mark. They do not have any practical knowledge regarding presentation of any
issue.

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vi) No corporate Exposure: NU graduate are not familiar with workplace scenario..

Recommendations
Analyzing the various challenges of NU graduates entering the job market of Bangladesh
some recommendations are presented here

 Strong initiative to improve English language proficiency of NU students: The

CEOs of different organizations reached to a consensus that NU graduates are
weak in communicating in English. In this connection, initiative must be taken by
concerned authority to improve English language competency of students.
 Introduction of practical ICT course in graduate level: NU graduates are found
less efficient in computer skill. Practical courses on ICT should be incorporated
in tertiary level education.
 Development plan for college teachers: Teachers teaching in graduate level
should be well equipped and up to date with the requirement of job market. A
comprehensive development plan for them is must.
 Training policy for tertiary level students: All of the CEO’ declared that skills,
Other than high academic grade is expected from job seekers. Expert opinion is
that skills and knowledge of a person is much more important than his academic
grade. For this reason detailed training or internship program for the students is an
urgent issue.
 Re construction of Curricula at graduate level incorporating the employers
suggestion: Top administration/ pro-vice chancellor of NU acknowledged that
curricula of public Universities including NU do not match the expectation of job
market. To combat the weakness. curricula should be reconstituted.
 Establish partnership with the Industrialist: Respondent NU students open
mindedly demanded to build partnership with industries or corporation for
attachment or internship program during their academic course and finding job in
future.
 Set standard criteria for affiliating colleges under NU: NU has very liberally
affiliating colleges throughout the country without considering its infrastructure,

28
 faculty members or library facility. Steps should be taken to review the criteria
currently following by the NU in case of college affiliation.
 Develop non-cognitive skill among student: This present study found most of the
NU student came out from colleges with high academic grade. But this grade has
little value in the job market. Measures should be taken to improve non-cognitive
skill to be fit in the job market.
 Incentive based on performance: Incentive system should be introduced for the
teachers so that they will be motivated and try to develop their performances in
the classroom and extra-curricular activities.
 Initiate internship pragramme at NU graduate level:NU graduates are least
exposed to corporate culture.Introduction of compulsory internship programme in
graduation course, would be helpful to acquire practical knowledge to deal in real
life scenario.

Conclusion:
National University is the major provider of graduates in our country. It provides 68 per
cent of our graduate level students. As the Flagship University of our country it
contributes mostly in our higher education. But 46 per cent of students cannot get a job
for few years after completing their graduation. Since these educated able young force is
considered as demographic dividend in our country hence they should be trained and
developed properly.

In order to mitigate the challenges of NU graduates, suggestions put forward by

themselves and CEO’s must be implemented without any delay. Government has to come
forward to take necessary action to make our graduates fit for fast – changing job market
of Business and orientation.

29
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Chakma, Jagaran and pervez Sohel. The Daily star, 12.00 am, March 29, 2018

Islam, Rizwanul, “Graduate unemployment in Bangladesh: A preliminary Analyses” The

Bangladesh Development studies Journal, 1980, PP 46-74

Jones, D “Universities Must be more Business friendly, The Association of Graduate records,
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Khan, Shahiduzzaman, “perspective changes in future job market” The Financial Express 21:14:
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Khan, Zahir, “Problem and prospect of Job market” Public Policy and Administrative Research,
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Hasan, Khalid, “Why are University graduates Failing to meet quality needs”, the Daily star,
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